The history of .ug domains, Uganda’s country code top-level domain (ccTLD), goes back to the mid-1990s, when the internet was just arriving in Uganda.
Since then, its management has raised important questions about ownership, pricing, and digital sovereignty.
This is because, unlike in other countries where country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) are managed by the government, in Uganda, it’s managed by a private company.
How this situation came to be is quite an interesting story. Here’s how it all began, and where it stands today.
How The .UG Domain Was Born
In 1995, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority IANA gave Uganda its official domain extension, `.ug`. At the time, Uganda didn’t have a regulator for ICT or the internet.
So instead of assigning it to a government body, IANA delegated management to a private company: **Infinity Computers and Communication Company (i3C), through its subsidiary Uganda Online Ltd. The company’s founder, Charles Musisi, was listed as the main contact person.
This was common back then, as IANA assigned domains to whoever applied first. But in Uganda’s case, it meant that a private individual became the long-term manager of the country’s digital identity.
The Rise of Internet Regulators (Late 1990s)
It wasn’t until 1997 that Uganda set up government bodies to manage communications and business registrations.
First, the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) was established in 1997, followed by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) in 1998
Although these institutions were now in place, it still became clear that Uganda had no direct control over its country domain. While `.ug` was functioning, it was being managed outside the government’s authority.
This created growing tension, especially among government leaders who felt that a national digital asset shouldn’t be left in private hands.
Parliament Tries to Take Over Control of .UG Domains in 2014
The debate over who should control .UG domains came to a head in 2014 when the Ugandan parliament pressed the then ICT Minister to provide answers as to how a private company ended up controlling the `.ug` domain (as reported in Uganda’s Daily Monitor).
One of the MPs, Mr Xavier Kyooma (Ibanda North, NRM), was quoted as saying in the newspaper article dated 27th August 2014:
“We cannot afford to leave our domain in private hands when there are criminals in nearly 200 countries lurking online – plotting large-scale attacks as well as smaller attacks aimed at stealing personal information from unsuspecting citizens’ home computers”.
The MPs argued that Uganda should follow the global trend of bringing ccTLDs under state management, for the following reasons:
- A country’s domain is part of its national infrastructure.
- Cybersecurity threats make it dangerous to leave ccTLDs in private hands, and direct oversight by the government would strengthen Uganda’s ability to respond to threats.
- Government management could make domains more affordable and accessible.
This higher price has discouraged adoption. Many Ugandans and local businesses prefer cheaper global domains like `.com`, even if it means losing the benefits of a local domain.
Although all these reasons are valid, changing control of .UG domains hasn’t been simple, because domain governance is beyond the control of Ugandan regulations.
Why the Government of Uganda Can’t Take Over the Management of .UG Domains
The Ugandan government can’t just take ownership of .ug domains.
Under international internet governance rules, control of a country’s domain can only change if:
1. The current manager agrees to step aside, or
2. They are proven to be neglecting their responsibilities.
In this case, i3C has always kept the domain technically stable and secure. Since there’s no evidence of mismanagement, the government has no grounds to force a takeover.
At the same time, i3C hasn’t agreed to hand it over. This has created a stalemate that has lasted for nearly three decades.
Government officials have gone as far as suggesting a public–private partnership as a compromise, but such an agreement hasn’t been reached.
What Next For .UG Domains?
Today, .ug works reliably and securely, thanks to i3C’s management.
But the government continues to push for ownership, citing pricing and sovereignty as its reasons.
- The government wants greater control but is limited by international rules.
- Businesses hesitate to adopt `.ug` because of the cost.
Looking ahead, there are three possible paths:
- Keep things as they are. i3C continues to manage `.ug` privately.
- Re-delegation. If i3C management agrees, or if mismanagement is ever proven, control could pass to UCC or URSB.
- Partnership. The government and i3C share oversight to ensure not just stability but also public accountability.
Whatever happens, there’s no question that you need to get online with a .ug domain.
Get a .UG Domain Cheap With TrueHost
As we mentioned earlier, the private management of .ug has also influenced the cost of registration.
A `.com` or `.org` domain usually costs around $10 per year. On the other hand, if you search Google for “how much does a .ug domain cost?”, you’ll see that they’re priced way higher, and in some cases up to $60 per year.
The government of Uganda argues that if it takes control, it will be able to bring down pricing. Why? Because i3C, as the sole operator, can set its own pricing. Unlike government-run registries (which often focus on affordability), `.ug` is run like a business.
However, since this takeover doesn’t seem likely in the near future, Truehost has a solution for you.
We offer .ug domains for $30 a year to give you a chance to make your business visible at home, where it’s most relevant.
We also offer web hosting at $1.5/ month, billed triennally ($54 for 3 years), with a free .ug domain included
FAQs About .ug Domains
1. Who manages the .ug domain today?
The `.ug` domain is managed by Infinity Computers and Communication Company (i3C), led by Charles Musisi.
2. Why does the government want control?
Because ccTLDs are considered national assets. Government oversight would give Uganda greater sovereignty, security, and affordability.
3. Why is a .ug domain more expensive than .com?
Because it’s privately managed. Unlike global domains that benefit from competition, `.ug` prices are set by a single registry.
4. Can the government take over .ug?
Not without i3C’s consent or proof of mismanagement, due to international internet governance rules.
5. Why should I use a .ug domain?
It boosts trust with Ugandan audiences, improves local SEO, and reinforces your identity as a Ugandan business or organization.